A host of players kicked bags across the weekend while a flurry of Suns players put their hand up for selection.
The Pies' depth finally recorded a win while the Giants mimicked the AFL game in the reserves with a narrow victory.
Gold Coast flipped the script with a win over their state rivals while Essendon overcame a slow start to take down Sandringham.
See who performed well in Round 18 of the VFL.
BYES: Footscray Bulldogs, Carlton and Northern Bullants
Casey Demons (51) def. by GWS (58)
Young Giants forwardย Max Gruzewski'sย five-goal haul proved to be the difference in a miserable day at Casey Fields.
In the low-scoring affair, Gruzewski stood up when it mattered most.
Teammates James Leake (28 touches, five clearances and five tackles),ย Nick Haynes (28 possessions and seven marks) andย Conor Stone (22 disposals and four tackles) also performed strongly.
Axed Demons midfielderย Tom Sparrow proved to be above the grade, amassing 31 touches, nine clearances and nine tackles in the loss.
Ruck-forward Tom Fullartonย continues to build strong form in the VFL, giving Simon Goodwin something to think about.
Key forwardย Matthew Jefferson had an almost day, kicking 1.3 whileย Lachie Hunter is looking to return to the senior level.
Southport Sharks (68) def. by Sydney (93)
Caiden Cleary did his recall chances no harm with an impressive outing on Saturday, gathering 34 touches, nine marks and five clearances.
His ruck -ย Peter Ladhams - was equally as good, kicking three goals from 20 disposals, 23 hitouts and seven clearances.
Angus Sheldrick andย Caleb Mitchell found plenty of the ball whileย Joel Hamling could be considered as a defensive option given the hamstring injury to Lewis Melican.
Sharks trioย Boyd Woodcock (33 touches, 10 clearances and 11 marks),ย Jacob Dawson (34 possessions, 17 clearances and seven tackles) and Ben Jepson (30 disposals and five marks) did everything they could to get their side over the line.
Zac Foot kicked a pair of goals along withย Hugh Dixonย andย Jackson Edwards while ruckmanย Brayden Crossley battled willfully.
Gold Coast (131) def. Brisbane (96)
Alex Sexton's five-goal effort helped the Suns secure the win against cross-town rivals Brisbane.
Sexton's performance was joined byย Brayden Fiorini, Oskar Faulkheadย andย Rory Atkins, who all gathered 32 disposals.
Four other Suns kicked multiple goals while half-backs Connor Budarick andย Sean Lemmens continued to build their case for a senior call-up.
Despite the loss, the Lions had plenty of strong outings, including the recently axed Bruce Reville. Reville kicked two goals from his 26 touches and eight marks.
Midfielderย Deven Robertson was arguably the club's best, collecting 30 disposals from 14 clearances and 11 tackles.
Jarryd Lyonsย andย James Tunstill were also impressive.
North Melbourne (51) def. by Geelong (72)
Geelong had a host of strong players in their 21-point victory over the Kangaroos, led by youngster Jhye Clark.
Clark amassed 24 touches, 10 tackles, eight clearances and a goal.
His efforts were matched byย Mitch Knevitt (two goals, 27 possessions and nine tackles) andย Mitch Hardie (one goal, 31 disposals and eight clearances).
Ruckmanย Joe Furphy recorded a whopping 56 hitouts while Brandan Parfitt made the most of the dominance.
Veteran North Melbourne midfielderย Hugh Greenwood was pivotal in the contest, gathering 30 touches from 11 clearances and nine tackles to go with his one major.
Mid-season recruitย Geordie Payne is inching closer to an AFL debut after his efforts on Saturday.
Port Melbourne Borough (49) def. by Werribee Tigers (76)
Another five-goal outing across the weekend was the difference-maker, with Werribee'sย Hudson Garoni making the most of his opportunities.
Teammatesย Jack Ridingย slotted three himself while midfield duoย Riley Bice (31 touches, 11 marks and eight tackles) and Dom Brew (29 possessions, 15 clearances and 11 tackles) were instrumental in the win.
Jack Henderson joined in on the act with 11 clearances and 24 disposals while making most ofย Sam Conway's 42 hit-outs.
Son of Essendon legend James Hird,ย Tom, was arguably the Borough's best, collecting 21 touches, 10 tackles and nine clearances to go with his singular major.
Defenderย Tom Highmore will continue to be on recruiters' radars after another strong performance while Kyle Viccars was the only multiple-goal scorer for the hosts.
Collingwood (64) def. Richmond (53)
The Pies eventually returned to the winner's list following the strong performances fromย Charlie Dean, Ed Allan andย Finlay Macrae.
Dean was a pillar in defence, recording 15 marks and 27 touches whileย Allan gathered 32 disposals to go with his two goals.
Macrae was critical in the midfield, utilising his clean hands to assist with Collingwood's running game.
Reef McInnes remained goalless but found plenty of the ball while mid-season recruitย Iliro Smit continues to build his game toward AFL standard.
As for the Tigers,ย Lachlan Wilson is putting together some season and Sunday was no different, amassing 18 touches, 13 tackles and six clearances.
Kane McAuliffe was equally as impressive whileย Tyler Sonsie put his name back on the selection agenda.
Box Hill Hawks (90) def. Williamstown Seagulls (68)
Harry Morrison put together the most complete performance of the weekend, recording 33 touches, nine clearances, six tackles and three goals in the 32-point win.
Pre-season pick-upย Ethan Phillips was impressive with 15 marks in defence whileย Jai Serong was just as strong.
Young midfielderย Cam Mackenzie responded to his axing, gathering 29 possessions and 10 clearances.
Seagulls forwardย Corey Ellison kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors, slotting six majors.
Will Fordham was a tackling machine whileย Jack Tonerย andย Joel Fitzgerald both gathered 21 possessions each.
Coburg Lions (41) def. by Frankston Dolphins (69)
Tyson Milne's kicking prowess was on display during the Dolphins' 28-point victory, recording 28 touches (23 kicks) and six marks.
Matt Johnson led the way up forward with three goals while bothย George Grey (two goals, 23 touches and three tackles) andย Blake O'Leary (two goals, 20 touches and three marks) were a handful.
Lions ruckmanย Cooper Keogh was arguably the best afield, racking up 25 disposals, 11 clearances and 52 hitouts in the defeat.
Coburg pairย Flynn Gentile (35 touches and six clearances) andย Braedyn Gillard (36 possessions and three tackles) had their own football.
Joel Trudgeon didn't let a tackle slip, laying 11 to go with his one goal and 22 disposals.
Essendon (67) def. Sandringham Zebras (62)
Brad Scott could recall a host of in-form players as the seniors were smashed by St Kilda.
Elijah Tsatas (34 touches, seven clearances and six marks) andย Will Setterfield (25 disposals, 13 tackles and six clearances) immediately spring into the conversation.
Depth ruckmanย Nick Bryan was just as good whileย Nick Hind played a pivotal role in a narrow victory.
Sam Weideman found plenty of football for the Bombers.
As for the Saints, youngsterย Hugo Garcia could get a look in Ross Lyon's side after his strong performance.
Arie Schoenmaker responded to his axing with 29 touches whileย Paddy Dow continues to build some form.
